Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A real estate agent and machinist before the Civil War, he joined the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry upon the outbreak of hostilities. When John Frederick Hartranft formed the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry, Bolton was named a Colonel in that unit. He served with the 51st throughout the war and was wounded twice, at Antietam and at Petersburg. On March 13, 1865, he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General for gallant and meritorious services during the war. After the war he became a businessman and U. S. Customs Inspector. He was the author of a journal of his experiences with the 51st Pennsylvania throughout the Civil War. (bio by: Thomas Fisher)